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Retail Shake‑Up: Toys “R” Us Hit by Store Closures Amid Rent Disputes

  Toys “R” Us is facing a new wave of store closures as landlords across Canada claim the retailer has fallen behind on rent payments. Several property owners have filed legal actions alleging significant unpaid balances, adding pressure to a brand that has already spent years fighting to regain stability in a changing retail landscape. Multiple locations in provinces such as Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia have recently shut their doors after lease terminations tied to overdue rent. In some cases, stores were closed abruptly, leaving fully stocked spaces locked and inaccessible to customers. The closures mark another setback for the company as it navigates rising operational costs, increased competition, and the ongoing shift toward online shopping. The financial strain has accelerated a broader contraction of the chain’s physical footprint. Once a dominant force in the toy industry, Toys “R” Us now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with landlords while attem...

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New Federal Commission Could Uncover Hundreds of Miscarriages of Justice

 


A newly established independent commission, set up by the federal government to review potential wrongful convictions, is expected to receive a surge of applications from inmates who may have been imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. Early indications suggest the body could see hundreds of cases, reflecting a hidden crisis within the justice system.

Senator Kim Pate, a well‐known advocate for the wrongfully convicted, noted that similar review bodies abroad have discovered that the number of wrongful convictions is far higher than initially believed. “The degree of wrongful convictions certainly was much more significant than they knew,” she remarked, underscoring the urgent need for a systematic reexamination of past cases .

Tasked with scrutinizing past convictions for fresh evidence and legal errors, the commission will work independently from both law enforcement and the courts. Its mandate is to identify cases where new and significant information was either overlooked or has since come to light—information that could potentially alter verdicts or open the door for retrials. Officials believe that a proactive approach is essential not only to correct individual miscarriages of justice but also to pinpoint systemic issues that may have led to widespread wrongful convictions.

If the commission’s investigations reveal compelling evidence of errors, cases may be referred back to the courts for a fresh appeal or a new trial. Such actions could free individuals who have spent years behind bars for crimes they did not commit, restoring public confidence in the criminal justice system. The move mirrors successful initiatives in other countries that have unearthed a higher incidence of wrongful convictions than previously estimated.

With the commission gearing up for its first round of case reviews, legal experts and advocacy groups are watching closely. Many hope that this new federal body will serve as a vital corrective mechanism, ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done for all citizens.

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